We were hopeful after Channing Tatum said the entire Magic Mike cast would return for Magic Mike XXL, but it’s time for a little letdown. Matthew McConaughey is otherwise occupied, and isn’t taking part in the sequel. Not merely for that reason, director Greg Jacobs, a long-time associate of Steven Soderbergh, says this sequel will be quite different, for reasons he only begins to explain. Read More »

It was established some time ago that Steven Soderbergh would not be directing Magic Mike XXL. After lots of rumor and speculation, it was announced earlier this spring that Soderbergh’s longtime first assistant director Gregory Jacobs would be taking over the reins instead.

But that doesn’t mean Soderbergh isn’t involved. To the contrary, he sounds about as involved as he could possibly be without actually directing the thing himself. Hit the jump to find out just what Soderbergh will be doing on the stripper sequel.

Ladies (and gentleman) of Tampa (and the world), Magic Mike 2 — officially called Magic Mike XXL — is coming July 3, 2015. Channing Tatum and Reid Carolinhave been writing the film for several months. Now, in a new interview, the star revealed the film will be a road trip movie. He also said all of the cast members — including Matthew McConaughey — are expected to return, even though deals haven’t been set. Read his quotes and more below. Read More »

Well, Joe Manganiello did say he expected Magic Mike sequel details to be revealed “soon.” But even he probably didn’t expect it to be this soon.

According to a new report, the Magic Mike sequel has just acquired a new director in Gregory Jacobs, who served as Steven Soderbergh‘s first assistant director on the first Magic Mike. In addition, the project has also picked up a new title: Magic Mike XXL. Because of course. Hit the jump for all the latest details.

Break out the dollar bills, because Magic Mike 2 is happening. This fall, in fact.

Star Joe Manganiello revealed in a recent interview that the stripper sequel is on track to shoot in the fall. There are still a few more pieces that need to come together before production can really get underway — like a director — but it’s encouraging news for devotees of the “Cock-Rocking Kings of Tampa.” Hit the jump to read Manganiello’s comments.

Two years ago, if someone said a sequel to Magic Mike would be in the works, they’d have been laughed at. Before the film’s release, most thought Steven Soderbergh‘s tale of male stripping in Florida was nothing but Striptease with dudes, nothing but ninety minutes of Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey dancing with their shirts off.

Then the film was released and it was seen to be an entertaining, provocative look at the American working class. Yes, there was stripping, and lots of shirtless men, but the script, performances and direction made it much more than that. Magic Mike was a surprise hit, grossing almost $115 million in the U.S. Producer/star Channing Tatum said he’d eventually make a sequel.

The film also helped catapult Tatum to superstar status so he’s been pretty busy as of late. White House Down, Side Effects, Jupiter Ascending, Foxcatcher and 22 Jump Street are just some of the film’s he’s shot since. But now, almost two years since the release, Tatum has sat down to write Magic Mike 2. And he announced it in the most peculiar of ways. Read More »

Channing Tatum doesn’t act like he’s famous. Even on the set of his upcoming movie, White House Down, the star of G.I. Joe, Magic Mike, Step Up and 21 Jump Street is humble, down to Earth and honest about his career. We spoke to the actor in Montreal last September. He said, after he next few movies, he wasn’t going to make another movie until he could direct himself, though a list of great directors could change his mind. He said he was so impressed with director Roland Emmerich that he’ll make movies with him forever.

Tatum also talked about Magic Mike 2, working with Steven Soderbergh and doing his own stunts – all of his own stunts. Tatum also discussed how growing up watching Eighties action films influenced his desire to make this movie, which opens June 28, and what it was about the script that really sold him.